Zachimalawi

Sunday, October 21, 2012

Dr. Myles Munroe: The Greatest Revolutionary

Let me admit that the first time I heard of the name Dr. Myles Munroe was two months ago.

I heard his name from Calvary Family Church International officials who announced that Dr. Monroe would be in Malawi on October 21, 2012.

And, today, I was privileged to be one of the people who went to welcome him at the Chileka International Airport in Blantyre around 10:00 am this morning.

Dr. Munroe disembarked from his private jet, along with wife Ruth, his daughter, his, son, a niece, and Charlie Masala, among others. After disembarking from the plane, he headed for the V.I.P. lounge, where he shook the hands of each one of us before answering some questions.

But it is not the antics of Chileka Airport I want to talk about. I want to talk about his 'The Kingdom and the Church' sermon at Robin's Park in Blantyre an hour later. You can also call it the Calvary Kingdom Service of Worship. Dr. Munroe is simply a great orator who has changed my life forever today!

The way he talked of dominion, colonialism, governance, and other issues. I am flabbergasted.

I was especially enthralled with his statements that the terms 'holy', 'repent', and other stuff, are not religious. He, then, elaborated his statements with concrete examples.

Surely, as I left Robin's Park one hour ago, I felt the changes in my heart. It is like his spirit was speaking to mine.

This afternoon, he will be speaking to various leaders at Robin's Park. Tomorrow, he goes.

What does time pack all the goodies in briefs?

Eish, before I forget. Munroe's first words upon arrival at Chileka International Airport were: "I am home!"

He was serious. His tone was emotional. Dr. Munroe is home now. He is in Malawi, the Warm Heart of Africa.

Tomorrow he goes.

And, before I forget again, Dr. Munroe said something to the same effect (of being home) at Robin's Park at the onset of his sermon. He said: "It has taken me 259 years to set foot on home soil!"

Yet the Bahamian inspirational speaker was born less than 259 years ago- on April 20, 1954- and is only aged 58. Dr. Munroe was talking of the vices of slavery and its twin brother of colonisation: They made Africans so near (to each other; in spirit), yet so far away (in culture, language, belief system). Oh, the colonisers and slave masters and mistresses killed the mind of the great people of Africa!

WHO IS DR. MYLES MUNROE

He is a gifted motivational speaker, best selling author, senior pastor of the Bahamas Faith Ministry, and founder of the Institute of Third World Leaders Association.

In these roles, he has criss-crossed the earth drilling leaders in education, media, religion, sports, government administration, among others.
Today, speaking to Malawians who couldn't believe what they were hearing, nobody wondered why he is the founder of the Bahamas Faith Ministries International (BFMI) and head of the Myles Munroe International (MMI)- which runs leadership training institutes, a publishing company, a missions' agency, a television network, web communications, radio, and a church community.

Yes, nobody had any lingering doubts why he is the chief executive officer and chairman of the board of the
International Third World Leaders Association and president of the International Leadership Training Institute. Yes, nobody could finally understand why he is the author of 23 books and an inspiring speaker.

But Zachimalawi feels that he is more than that; he is the greatest revolutionary. He sets the mind free.

He let's people think for themselves.

He is a great man.

Through slavery, which grabbed his ancestors from Africa, the motherland, those cruel savages took away our pride, our greatest minds.

Through colonisation, they arrested our free thinking capabilities. They gave us their language, making us believe that theirs was the best language; they imposed their leadership style, sending us heartless governors whose only duty was to live and preach their kingdom's symbols abroad; they, then, killed our minds- through this corrupted education system system that propagates what is in the best interest of the masters.

But Munroe comes in the morning, with the keys of the mind, and liberates us to the times that were- when free thinking was the currency of productive life.

This man. Dr. Myles Munroe!!!

DR. MYLES MUNROE AND HIS BOOKS

God's Big Idea Audio Book
by Dr. Myles Munroe
This audio book is another exciting addition to Dr. Myles Munroe's series on the Kingdom of God. God's Big Idea shows how God wants to make the earth a place of Kingdom harmony and peace - beginning with you!
Published December 1, 2008
God's Big Idea
by Dr. Myles Munroe
GOD HAS A BIG IDEAÉAND IT INCLUDES YOU!

This book is another exciting addition to Dr. Myles Munroe's series on the Kingdom of God. God's Big Idea shows how God wants to make the earth a place of Kingdom harmony and peace-beginning with you!
Published August 1, 2008
Kingdom Principles Hard Cover
by Dr. Myles Munroe
Kingdom Principles helps you learn to think and act like a Kingdom resident and ruler--the person God intended you to be. Knowing these principles will infuse your life with a new sense of excitement and purpose!
Published September 1, 2006
Kingdom Principles Audio Book
by Dr. Myles Munroe
Published January 1, 2008
Kingdom Principles 40-Day Devo/Journal (Study Guide)
by Dr. Myles Munroe
Published May 1, 2008
Kingdom Parenting
by Dr. Myles Munroe, David Burrows
Parenting-The Last Frontier This book and study guide provides practical principles for you, and your teen, to apply to your lives that will combat the forces aimed at destroying your family.
Published March 1, 2007
Applying the Kingdom Hardcover
by Dr. Myles Munroe
Applying the Kingdom will bring a new sense of belonging to your spiritual, emotional, and physical life-apply the Kingdom principles today!
Published August 1, 2007
Applying the Kingdom 40-Day Devotional Journal
by Dr. Myles Munroe
An Essential Personal Guide!
Throughout this 40-Day Devotional Journal, you are given the keys to living a fulfilled life.
Published June 1, 2008
Rediscovering the Kingdom Audio Book
by Dr. Myles Munroe
Published September 1, 2006
Rediscovering the Kingdom Kit
by Dr. Myles Munroe
Published December 1, 2007
Rediscovering the Kingdom DVD #5
by Dr. Myles Munroe
Published September 1, 2006
Rediscovering the Kingdom DVD #4
by Dr. Myles Munroe
Published September 1, 2006
Rediscovering the Kingdom DVD #3
by Dr. Myles Munroe
Published September 1, 2006
Rediscovering the Kingdom DVD #2
by Dr. Myles Munroe
Published September 1, 2006
Rediscovering the Kingdom DVD #1
by Dr. Myles Munroe
Published September 1, 2006
Rediscovering the Kingdom CD Vol 5
by Dr. Myles Munroe
As Dr. Munroe unveils the reality and the power of the Kingdom of God, you will be challenged to the core of your religious soul as you discover realities that few have seen, let alone talked about.
Published September 1, 2006
Rediscovering the Kingdom CD Vol 4
by Dr. Myles Munroe
As Dr. Munroe unveils the reality and the power of the Kingdom of God, you will be challenged to the core of your religious soul as you discover realities that few have seen, let alone talked about.
Published September 1, 2006
Rediscovering the Kingdom CD Vol 3
by Dr. Myles Munroe
As Dr. Munroe unveils the reality and the power of the Kingdom of God, you will be challenged to the core of your religious soul as you discover realities that few have seen, let alone talked about.
Published September 1, 2006
Rediscovering the Kingdom CD Vol 2
by Dr. Myles Munroe
As Dr. Munroe unveils the reality and the power of the Kingdom of God, you will be challenged to the core of your religious soul as you discover realities that few have seen, let alone talked about.
Published September 1, 2006
Rediscovering the Kingdom CD Vol 1
by Dr. Myles Munroe
Published September 1, 2006
Waiting and Dating
by Dr. Myles Munroe
There is a much better way!
The principles in this book will guide you through a period that for some is the most confusing time of life.
For anyone looking for that special someone with whom to share life, this book is essential, fun, and full of hope!
Published October 1, 2004
Understanding Your Potential Expanded Ed
by Dr. Myles Munroe
Your world will change and your heart will rejoice with hopeful fulfillment as you read this book and discover the richness of all that is yet within you.
Published January 1, 2006
Understanding Your Potential
by Dr. Myles Munroe
This is a motivating, provocative look at the awesome potential trapped within you, waiting to be realized. This book will cause you to be uncomfortable with your present state of accomplishment and dissatisfied with resting on your past success.
Published May 20, 1992
Single, Married, Separated Study Guide
by Dr. Myles Munroe
Take a 40-Day Personal Journey with Myles Munroe based upon his best-selling book, Single, Married, Separated & Life After Divorce.
Published July 1, 2004

Single, Married, Separated and Life after Divorce
by Dr. Myles Munroe
This best-selling author examines the states of singleness, marriage, separation, and divorce, providing insights to minister to everyone, regardless of their situation.
Published November 1, 2003

Releasing Your Potential Expanded
by Dr. Myles Munroe
This expanded edition of the popular original book gives you the tools to start today to release and fulfill your potential!
Published February 1, 2007

Releasing Your Potential
by Dr. Myles Munroe
Releasing Your Potential is a complete, integrated, principle-centered approach to unleashing the awesome potential trapped within you. With penetrating insights and pointed anecdotes, this book reveals a step-by-step pathway to releasing your potential.
Published July 23, 1992

Rediscovering the Kingdom 40 Day Devotional
by Dr. Myles Munroe
This devotional is the perfect way to fortify the principles of Kingdom living. Published August 1, 2005

In Pursuit of Purpose
by Dr. Myles Munroe
Published November 16, 1992

Purpose and Power of Praise Study Guide
by Dr. Myles Munroe
Published July 5, 2001

The Purpose and Power of Praise and Worship
by Dr. Myles Munroe
Every manufactured product was made to function within the context of specified guidelines and an ideal environment in order to achieve its maximum performance. The presence of God is the established ideal atmosphere in which mankind was designed to function.
Published July 17, 2000

The Purpose and Power of Love and Marriage
by Dr. Myles Munroe
Dr Myles Munroe provides the answers to questions surrounding the true nature of love as he exposes the false images created in our culture. He illuminates the many facets of love while tackling the tough subjects of separation and divorce.
Published January 1, 2005

Potential For Every Day
by Dr. Myles Munroe
You can become your best!
One step at a time. One moment at a time. One day at a time.

Myles Munroe keeps you focused on releasing your God-given potential. This awesome daily devotional will help keep you on track to becoming all that God has made you to be.
Published June 1, 2008

Myles Munroe 365-Day Devotional & Journal
by Dr. Myles Munroe
Published July 1, 2007

Maximizing Your Potential Expanded Edition
by Dr. Myles Munroe
You can make a difference in your world-now!

Learning how to maximize your potential gives you the confidence to release the God-given gifts and talents trapped within you.
Published July 1, 2008

Maximizing Your Potential
by Dr. Myles Munroe
This book will refire your passion for living! Learn to maximize the God-given potential lying dormant inside you through the practical, integrated, and penetrating concepts shared in this book. Go for the max--die empty!
Published June 14, 1996

The Glory of Living
by Dr. Myles Munroe
Are You Ready to Take Your Spiritual Life to the Next Level? Dr. Munroe will lead you from the furnace of life--where glory is refined--to the mountain of His presence--where glory is revealed.
Published September 1, 2005

by Dr. Myles Munroe
God wants to make the earth a Kingdom of harmony and peace--beginning with you! You can be directly involved by helping plant and multiply His garden communities where all God's children live fruitful and abundant lives.
Published August 1, 2008

Unleash Your Purpose
by Dr. Myles Munroe
Unleash your purpose-Change your world-Today! Do you know your purpose in life? Are you living up to your full potential? You can do both successfully and powerfully by learning how to unleash the plan your Creator designed especially for you!
Published March 1, 2009

Overcoming Crisis
by Dr. Myles Munroe
You can thrive in crisis!

Myles Munroe teaches how to overcome any crisis by applying the sure wisdom and the time-tested principles of the Kingdom of God.
Published May 1, 2009

Rediscovering Faith
by Dr. Myles Munroe
What is "true faith?" In Rediscovering Faith, Dr. Myles Munroe strips away misconceptions surrounding faith and reveals the nature, character, and power of true faith.
Published August 1, 2009

Single, Married, Separated and Life after Divorce Expanded Edition
by Dr. Myles Munroe
Peace and wholeness is yours.
Enjoy the life you're living by understanding God's plan and His ultimate blessings for you-no matter if you are single, married, separated, or divorced.
Published February 1, 2010

Overcoming Crisis Video Book
by Dr. Myles Munroe
Published May 1, 2009

Potential for Every Day Trade Paper
by Dr. Myles Munroe
You can become your best!

One step at a time. One moment at a time. One day at a time.
Myles Munroe keeps you focused on releasing your God-given potential. This awesome daily devotional will help keep you on track to becoming all that God has made you to be.
Published January 1, 2009

Purpose for Living
by Dr. Myles Munroe
365 DAYS TO REALIZE YOUR POTENTIAL!

Combining Scripture and best-selling books Understanding Your Potential, Releasing Your Potential, and Maximizing Your Potential, gives you a powerful jolt of encouragement to become the best you can be!
Published January 1, 2009

Releasing Your Potential Spanish
by Dr. Myles Munroe
Published September 1, 2008

Rediscovering the Kingdom Expanded Edition
by Dr. Myles Munroe
Tap into spiritual reality. Rediscover the greatest idea in human history-God's Kingdom. Understanding kingdom concepts opens the palace gates for your entrance and acceptance. Step in!
Published April 1, 2010

Wisdom from Myles Munroe
by Dr. Myles Munroe
Wisdom for Life Words of wisdom from Myles Munroe wash away all your troubles and trials and present you as a shining masterpiece of God's glory.
Published June 1, 2010

Rediscovering Kingdom Worship
by Dr. Myles Munroe
Worship - the essential key! One reason you may be suffering from a chronic lack of the presence and power of God in your life and church is the lack of purpose and power in your praise and worship.
Published December 1, 2010

Understanding Your Place in God's Kingdom
by Dr. Myles Munroe
Find your true purpose for existence!
This book is about your original purpose for existence and the source of meaning behind your life. In these pages you will discover the Creator's divine motivation, design, and mandate for His creation and your role in that creation.
Published November 1, 2011

Uncover Your Potential
by Dr. Myles Munroe
Break Through!
There is more in you than you realize!
Uncover Your Potential will help you understand why you are uncomfortable with your present state of accomplishment and dissatisfied with only resting on your past success.
Published February 1, 2012

Reclaiming God's Original Purpose for Your Life
by Dr. Myles Munroe
Why are you here?
Have you ever wondered why you are living here and now in this particular place and time in history?
Published June 1, 2012

REMARKS BY THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE COMMISSION OF THE AFRICAN UNION, DR. NKOSAZANA DLAMINI ZUMA, AT THE MEETING OF THE SUPPORT AND FOLLOW-UP GROUP IN BAMAKO, MALI, 19 OCTOBER 2012

Your Excellency President Dioncounda Traore,

Your Excellency Prime Minister Cheick Modibo Diarra,

Your Excellency Jan Eliasson, United Nations Deputy Secretary-General,

Your Excellency Romano Prodi, United Nations Special Envoy for the Sahel,

Your Excellency Kadré Désiré Ouédraogo, ECOWAS Commission President,

Honorable Ministers,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It gives me great pleasure to address you on the occasion of this meeting of the Support and Follow-up Group, here in Bamako. This gathering affords us the opportunity to better coordinate and enhance our efforts in support of our Malian brothers and sisters in these challenging times.

I have chosen to make this first trip, in my official capacity as the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, to Mali, to convey a message of solidarity from our continent to the people of this great country. In so doing, I also want to highlight the AU’s deep concern about the prevailing situation and our determination to do everything in our power to help the people of Mali to find a speedy resolution of the overlapping crises facing their country.

At the African Union, we have been closely following and are actively seized with the developments in Mali. This is our duty, it cannot be otherwise: Mali is one of the founding members of the OAU and the AU, and the principles at stake in the Malian crises are of particular importance to the continent. Africa cannot simply fold its arms while 2/3 of the Malian territory is under the control of armed, terrorist and criminal groups.

The African Union was the first Organization to react to the attacks against Mali by rebel groups in mid-January this year. We did so as a matter of principle because there was and still there is no justification, whatsoever, for the use of arms, particularly when there are peaceful avenues to address legitimate concerns of a given group. We did so because we foresaw the likely consequences that would arise from the resumption of armed conflict in North Mali.

Since January 2012, and working within the framework of the African Peace and Security Architecture, we have taken a number of steps to contribute, together with ECOWAS, as well as the core countries and our international partners, both bilateral and multilateral, in the search for an early solution. The AU Peace and Security Council has met on several occasions, including at ministerial and Summit level, to deliberate upon the situation in Mali. The Commission has dispatched numerous missions to Bamako to interact with the Malian stakeholders, and we have worked relentlessly to mobilize the support of the international community for an African-led initiative.

The main challenge today is how to deal with the dangerous situation in the North of the country expeditiously. In making reference to this situation, I have in mind the hardships and sufferings faced particularly by women and children and the civilian population in general. I also have in mind the destruction, desecration and damage to sites of holy, historical and cultural significance. I am all the more pained as I had the privilege, in my then capacity as Foreign Minister of the Republic of South Africa, of having been involved in a programme supported by South Africa to conserve ancient manuscripts and the restoration of monuments in Timbuktu, which are part of Mali’s contribution to humanity.

Beyond this sad situation, there is the serious threat that the entrenchment of terrorist and criminal networks pose to the stability of Mali, the region and beyond. This is a threat we cannot afford to take lightly, and must hasten to add that the danger it poses extends far beyond the African continent. The sooner we deal with it, the better.

I am however pleased to note the significant progress thus far made towards resolution of the institutional crisis occasioned by the coup d’état of 22 March 2012, while we recognize that challenges still remain. Yet, we are confident that the Malians will indeed find in themselves, the collective wisdom and strength to overcome their challenges. Accordingly, it is critical that all Malians, irrespective of their political affiliations, close ranks during these trying moments in their history. At stake is the very survival of the Malian state. Hence, the need for all Malians to place the interest of the country and its people above any other consideration. In this regard, it is important that women must participate and be fully engaged in contributing to finding a lasting solution to this conflict. Their voice must be heard in the efforts to promote and sustain democracy in their country. You can certainly count on the support of the African Union and indeed on my personal commitment to this end.

Let me, in this respect, pay tribute to ECOWAS for its pro-active involvement in the quest for a solution. We could not expect less from an Organization that has, over the years, made significant contributions to the promotion of regional peace, security and stability. May I take this opportunity to applaud the tireless efforts of Presidents Alassane Dramane Ouattara, Chair of ECOWAS, as well as H.E Blaise Compaoré and H.E Goodluck Jonathan, Mediator and Associate Mediator, respectively.

I am also aware of the contribution of the core countries, Algeria, Mauritania, Mali and Niger. For years, they have endeavoured, within the framework of the structures they have established, to combat the terrorist and criminal networks in the region.

Let me also express our gratitude to our partners. I am mindful of the critical role of the United Nations, and the Security Council in particular. We welcome the adoption of resolutions 2056 and 2071, in July and in October 2012. I recognize the important role of the EU, whose strategy on the Sahel will go a long way in strengthening the efforts of the countries of the region. I acknowledge the contributions of our other bilateral and multilateral partners.

In Mali and in the Sahel, as in other similar situations, success depends on close coordination of our efforts and the design of strategies that aim comprehensively to address the challenges at hand. The AU Commission, working with ECOWAS, the UN, the EU, the OIF and other partners, has prepared a draft Strategic Concept articulating in a holistic manner the measures needed to expedite the resolution of the Malian crises. We intend to submit this document to our Peace and Security Council on 24 October 2012, before forwarding it, in light of today’s deliberations and outcome, to the UN Security Council.

We must pool our efforts, driven only by the interest of the people of Mali and the priorities they have set. The African Union is fully committed to such an approach. In this respect, we intend to strengthen the AU presence in the Sahel to work more closely with countries of the region and our partners. I intend to shortly appoint a High Representative as well as to establish an office in Bamako that will oversee our Sahel programme. This programme is part of the overall efforts of the international community, within the context of the United Nations, to address the multi-faceted challenges facing the Sahel region, which relate to peace and security, development and environmental degradation.

As I conclude, I would like to commend Interim President Dioncounda Traoré for his determination to lead his country out of its current challenges. I assure him of the AU’s full support and commitment to contribute to the creation of the necessary conditions for a stable and democratic Malian State responsive to the needs of all its citizens, fully exercising its authority over its national territory and effectively assuming its responsibilities in addressing regional security and other challenges.

I thank you.

Remembering Samora Machel

Samora Machel , that great African son who went to his grave too soon, once said:

"International solidarity is not an act of charity: it is an act of unity between allies fighting on different terrains toward the same objective. The foremost of these objectives is to assist in the development of humanity to the highest level possible."

He will, forever, be remembered!

Thursday, October 18, 2012

Zomba on Wednesday Launched its District Water, Sanitation, Hygiene Strategic Investment Plan

Currently, 200, 000 people in Zomba have no access to safe water.

AU COMMISSION CHAIRPERSON DLAMINI ZUMA OUTLINES AUC KE

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia 15 October 2012-The African Union Commission, as the secretariat of the African Union will seek to define and build a trajectory that extracts the continent from poverty to development, said Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, at her installation as the Commission’s Chairperson today, presided over by the Chairperson of the African Union, Dr Thomas Boni Yayi, President of the Republic of Benin, in the presence of Mr. Hailemariam Desalegn, Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia.

The Commission will take pro-active steps to support member states and regional bodies in their efforts to promote, consolidate and expand citizen centered, developmental and democratic governance. This is in line with the African Union’s vision of achieving a prosperous, peaceful and integrated continent. In pursuing this African agenda, the Commission will take into account, the shared values of consistent political and democratic freedom, and the development and modernization of African productive forces, Dr Dlamini Zuma stressed.

Among the Commission’s priority areas, as outlined by its Chairperson, will be peace, security and stability in Africa, food security, exploitation of natural resources, health and education, gender equality, youth development, development of infrastructure, promotion of intra African trade, building the African Union’s capacity to deliver efficiently and effectively and consolidating relationships with key partners.

Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, who became the first women ever to lead the Commission, told hundreds of delegates and members of the diplomatic corps that, Africa has witnessed phenomenal progress over the past 20 years, in socio political and economic terms. However she also said the long walk to achieving the AU vision has not ended and there are still many hills to climb.

Key priority areas as outlined by the Chairperson

Peace and security a pre requisite for peace and development

Peace, security and stability are a pre requisite for development and good governance. Resolving conflicts such as those in Mali and the Sahel region, the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Great Lakes region, and in Guinea Bissau will be a priority for the Commission. The Commission will also continue to provide the necessary support to Sudan and South Sudan in finalizing all the outstanding issues between them. The AUC will be actively involved in post conflict reconstruction and development.

Food security and mineral resources

Africa has one quarter of the world’s arable land and land is a source of livelihood for 70 percent of the population. Yet the continent generates only 10 percent of global agricultural output. The African Union will therefore put maximum effort to implement the provisions of the Comprehensive African Agricultural Development Programme (CAADP), so that Africa can feed itself and have more for export.

In terms of mineral resources, the Commission will push for exploitation of these resources so that they benefit African people.

Health and education

Maternal and infant mortality remains unacceptably high in Africa. The Commission will endeavour to reduce, if not eliminate maternal mortality so that children have a fighting chance to reach their full potential and also that mothers get the chance to contribute fully to their families, societies, nations and continent.

Women’s empowerment

The Commission will accelerate implementation of programmes related to the African Women’s Decade to realize gender equality and to ensure that women, who constitute slightly more than 50 percent of the African population, are brought into the mainstream of decision making processes and structures at all levels of society.

Youth development and education

The Commission views young people as an invaluable asset. In this regard, it will seek to harness the energy, resourcefulness and enthusiasm of young people so that they contribute positively to their societies, nations and the continent. Priority will be given to education, training and employment, particularly of young people, women and girls.

Infrastructural development, integration and intra African trade

The development of infrastructure and connectivity between the different African member states is key to Africa’s integration efforts, to facilitate people to people relations and to facilitate intra African trade.

Institutional capacity building

As the AU Commission undertakes to achieve all its priority areas, it must also build its capacity so as to be equal to the task. More will be done to build on improvements already made.

Consolidating African Unity

The Commission will pursue the goal of unity for all Africans in the realization that, working as one, the continent’s total population of 1 billion people holds greater weight globally and can achieve much more than individual African states.

The Commission, in pursuing all its objectives will be informed by experiences learnt over the last fifty years:- the time when the organization of African Unity was formed. It will take opportunity of the 50^th anniversary of the OAU in 2013, to reflect on where the continent has come from, as well as to plan for the next fifty years. In discharging its functions, the Commission will work with member states, Regional Economic Communities, the United Nations, the African Development Bank and its other partners.

The Commission’s outgoing Chairperson Dr Jean Ping officially handed over the symbols of the African Union to Dr Dlamini Zuma. “I am giving way to a great lady...I am confident the affairs of the continent are in safe hands," Dr Ping said during the handover ceremony. The Commission’s Deputy Chairperson Mr Erastus Mwencha, incoming and outgoing Commissioners, ambassadors, development partners and AUC staff members attended the ceremony.

Typical Paul Kagame: Brunt, To The Point

President Kagame on Thursday (October 04) delivered what some commentators are describing as a ‘life-time’ or ‘historic’ speech in Parliament as he launched the judicial year 2012. Some have called a ‘no-mincing-words’ address, in which he spent much of the 58-minutes lambasting the west, DR Congo government and critics in general. At some point, he branded the Congolese government as “ideologically bankrupt”. For those who were expecting the usual scripted talk, you missed out. And for the first time, he laid out the standard on which future Rwandan leaders should be selected. We bring you a word-by-word transcript of the speech. Read below:

Officials of our Country

Members of the Diplomatic Corps

I greet you all and thank you for being here with us during this event.

I especially thank everybody working in the judiciary which is responsible for the justice in Rwanda.

We are here for two reasons:

The first is to witness the swearing-in ceremony of Hon Mukakarangwa Clothilde, Madam Ombudsman, Cyanzayire Aloysia, and the Army Chief of Staff, Land Forces, Maj Gen Frank Kamanzi. I take this opportunity to welcome them and wish them the best in their new appointments.

We are also here to launch the 2012-2013 Judicial Year. This is an opportunity to present to Rwandans the new plans for the judicial year. The two ceremonies, though different, are complementary. The swearing-in of some officials linked to the justice sector and the new judicial year both aim to give Rwandans confidence in their country.

The Office of the Ombudsman like other judicial institutions exists to protect Rwandans. These institutions defend the freedom of the people, which cannot be possible without security in our country.

Ladies and Gentlemen;

Let me get back to the launch of the new judicial year.

There is no doubt that the Judiciary in Rwanda has greatly improved. Many Rwandans have trust in their Judiciary and so does the international community. The international community has recognised this progress and this is why there is now good collaboration in transferring cases to be tried in Rwanda. Any other excuse not to transfer cases here can be interpreted in another way, but not because our judiciary doesn’t have the capacity. Cases which have not yet been transferred are a result of external hindrances and political reasons that we cannot solve. So, we leave that to the international community.

What is in our power is to continue to find strategies to strengthen our judiciary and transparency in the judicial sector. We need to do this by fighting all corruption and misuse of public funds. Just as we demand quality service delivery from other public officials, so do we of the judiciary. I call upon Rwandans to seek their services and play their role in supporting these institutions so that all problems can be solved. History has taught us that we need to continue building our capacity for home-grown solutions to the problems of our country.

Although our judiciary has generally improved significantly, we still have challenges that we cannot control – those originating from the external justice. All our efforts have not stopped some foreign jurisdictions from misinterpreting us, especially when it comes to building our countries and our continent. In fact, this applies to developing countries in general.

As far as Africa is concerned or Rwanda in particular, it’s not possible to tell whether what is applied is justice or politics – you cannot easily see the dividing line.

International justice, just like so many other things we have seen in the recent past, is used to define and determine how Africans should live their lives.

In English there is the saying about a carrot and a stick. Sometimes they give you a carrot but then later this carrot becomes a stick which they use to beat you up.

When international justice is applied to us, there is no carrot and stick. There is only stick; a political stick which they use to lead Africans in the direction of their choosing. One day they use international justice to lead you where they want but another day they use aid.

They call it international justice, but there are no clear guidelines. This international justice is not used where there is injustice. Instead, they use it for their political interests.

Let me start with our neighbours in D.R. Congo. This region used to be called Congo-Belge-and-Ruanda-Urundi is if it was one country, remember. Some people still think it is still the same – it is not. The Rwanda of today is totally different from the Rwanda of Ruanda-Urundi-and-Congo-Belge.

Those who caused the current problems in Congo know themselves. They caused these problems in the past centuries. Now, strangely, they want Rwanda to be accountable for the existence of Rwandaphones in Congo. Those who took Rwandophones to the Congo should be the ones accountable for these problems. These Rwandaphones are persecuted every day. Yet the people who give us lessons about human rights keep quiet and condone what goes on. And they turn around and blame Rwanda for the problems of the Congo. They should bear responsibility for the problems.

The law of the jungle says: ‘You break it, you own it.’ But for them, it’s the other way round: ‘I will break it and make you own it.’ We are not going to own it. Even with these threats every day, threats of aid cuts, threats of whatever list you have, you are just dead wrong. We Rwandans are better off standing up to this boorish attitude. The attitude of the bullies must be challenged. That is what some of us live for. We are better off that way. We know that if we don’t, we will be terribly worse off.

Rwandans – if you don’t stand up for your dignity, you accept to be beaten with that stick I talked about earlier. When you accept to be bullied, you are worse off than rejecting abuse and fighting it. When you fight, you can live your own way, and get along with what you have. This is where our interest lies; not kneeling down for people who in the end will persecute us. When I see what Rwanda has gone through in the recent past, I look for the real justification for it and can’t find it. I hope some of you can find the reason for it and let us know so that we can get out of this. Rwandans need to question why the whole world keeps mentioning Rwanda when they are talking about problems in the D.R. Congo.

The other day I heard on the radio people saying: “You know, if Kagame stood up and said he is condemning this group, the donors could unfreeze the aid.” Really?

So, is that what they want? Kagame to denounce so and so, so that they can release the aid that Rwandans deserve? If I am to do it, I would first denounce those that caused the M23 to exist in first place. I would denounce the government that does not respect or work for its own citizens. I would denounce the international community that seems blind to what is happening, before I denounce anybody else. To me, M23, the Government of Congo, the international community, are all ideologically bankrupt because they cannot properly define a simple problem that they see. They keep running in circles. For over a decade, they’ve been running around and keep blaming Rwanda for the problems of the Congo. Why don’t they have courage to blame themselves and take part of the responsibility before anybody else will take the responsibility? What is this blackmail about?

Aid? There is no country in this world that receives aid and accounts for it better than Rwanda. There is none. So, I am not sure if these people who give us aid want us to develop. They give us aid and expect us to remain beggars. They give you aid so that you forever glorify them and depend on them. They keep using it as a tool of control and management.

Our new Rwanda must be different. And I will not stop telling my fellow brothers and sisters, Africans, to just wake up and know that wherever this happens, some of them invited it and are not ready to stand up to the challenge. They must get up and be ready to stand up to this challenge. They are better off that way and there is no alternative. Africans must refuse to be treated as nobodies.

These powerful countries create a court for Africans and call it “international”, when it is only for Africans. And it’s not necessarily for those who have done wrong. It’s for those who have disobeyed. They pretend and tell us that they are going to punish people who are involved in the recruitment of child soldiers but they don’t pursue those who kill children. There are people who kill, who rape, who do everything but these powerful countries just keep quiet about them. Is that how Africans should be? Is it what they want them to be?

So, it becomes a tool of control, of management. If you are killing your own people, if every day you are inciting people to kill other people, these powers will not show up. They will be quiet because, after all, to them there are some people who deserve to be killed. That’s what we are seeing across in the Congo.

Some of you, members of this house, you probably will have visited those refugees as many others I know have. You follow what goes on in the Congo. One part, actually the main part, where crimes are committed in broad daylight, that’s none of their business. It’s ok because people who are being killed, who are being raped, maybe deserve it. And then they turn to the other part and say everything wrong that has happened in the Congo now has to have people who should be responsible – the so-called M23. People who are raped and killed in Kinshasa, M23 is blamed and Rwanda must condemn it. People killed in Kindu, in Uvira, wherever, M23 is responsible and Rwanda must condemn it. People who raped young girls who are in those refugee camps, it’s M23. Even now in the territory that is occupied by representatives of that international community…..

It even goes to Geneva, the UN Commissioner for Human Rights who says: “These are the worst criminals in that territory. They are raping……” Well, there is a bigger territory where worse things are happening. If that was happening, it does not cover up what is happening even in the hands of government, does not substitute for what needs to be done about crimes.

So, if I am to condemn; if you ask me to condemn people or to blame them for anything, I know where to start. I can’t be like these people. This law of the Jungle, this persecution of people even at the international level is just unbecoming. It is unbecoming and they start mixing things that are completely unrelated. They say: “Freeze, freeze aid to Rwanda, suspend…” What is the connection? This injustice does not make us compliant, it make us defiant. I am not one of those who would be made to comply by means of injustice done to my people, to my country. I am one of those who will be openly defiant. On being defiant, count me on that.

You can have your day, you can cause suffering to my people. On that one, they are very good. You can have your day. But to make Rwandans compliant because of that or on that basis will be very, very difficult. I know I am speaking for Rwandans. I know I am speaking for Africans, many of who will not stand and say it. If I am wrong and mistaken; if I am not speaking on behalf of you Rwandans; if I am not speaking on behalf of Africans and you are not of the same view as me, ask me to step down and I will not hesitate to do so right away.

If at all you think I am not adequately representing Rwanda’s interests, you should let me know and I will step aside immediately. This injustice cannot and should not be tolerated. And these people who created injustices here and who have created injustices for this region and for our neighbours cannot stand there and give me lectures about anything. They cannot. They are free to go and do anything they want. I know they are capable of doing wrong things… On that one they are very good, so they are free.

We are doing our best. We are trying our best to take this country forward, to unite our people, to give them a decent living like those people have. But they think we don’t deserve it. They think we don’t deserve the same development, the same value as they have. Why would anybody accept that?

Why should you Rwandans ever accept it? Why? The only crime we have committed is to be trying our best to be decently making progress. That’s a crime! Let me tell you: No, it cannot happen. It should not happen. It should not be allowed. It should not be accepted. Let us continue to do what we can do. Those insults thrown upon us every day, you ignore them. Don’t even accept to put these unhappy faces on because they will think they have got where they wanted you. Just let us continue doing our best and let us not accept to be provoked. Let us remain balanced. Let us keep mastering our art of getting the most out of the very little we have in our hands. Let us also try and continue to be decent people. Some of these insults and injustices, everything, happen because of mainly two reasons.

One reason is that some Africans also continue to make horrible mistakes and of course that makes for a good excuse for people to come in and make it worse for you, not any better.

The other reason is our weaknesses in terms of institutions and our own lack of integrity. We fail to focus on how to deal with our problems ourselves or at least to take the lead in resolving our problems. So they go through that. Those are cracks through which they will come in and cause you worse problems.

All these pretexts come about because some people in Africa make mistakes that they shouldn’t make. People who don’t govern their people and represent their interests in the way they should and end up attracting attention and give people loopholes and excuses to come and mess them up. They will use that to say: “you see, this is how Africans are…”

There is also the failure to create institutions, because of the mistakes I mentioned, and end up attracting these people who come with the excuses of helping to solve our problems. Fellow Rwandans, you should not accept to be victims. Never put yourself in a vulnerable position because no one will get you out.

Of course, there are good people out there who understand how things should be but sometimes we find ourselves getting caught in the cross-fire of political wars. Sometimes you find that people who don’t understand things are the ones wielding power and we end up bearing the brunt of their frustrations. Never mind that some of the frustrations may even be as a result of personal problems. Rwanda ends up being trodden on like that.

Honestly, some of these things are done to us because people can just do it; they don’t have to have justification, no. First of all they are the law unto themselves. They consider themselves as the law and what they say or want is what should be done. They even influence international justice institutions to do their bidding and this is where international justice ends up being politicised. There is no respect for justice. When you don’t respect the law, why do you expect others to do so?

Look at the issue of aid. There have been many agreements on aid, signed in different places; there is Busan, Cotonou; the Abuja treaty, Lagos….. What else? We are not short of places and agreements signed for aid disbursement. But if you ever were deceived that the other party respects you or the agreements, then you are mistaken. They have not even the courtesy to tell you. You just hear on radio that they’ve cut aid or read it in newspapers. No courtesy because they owe you nothing. May be that’s right. They really don’t owe us anything after all, do they?

But why would you deceive people and say we have an agreement and this is how we are going to conduct business, and the other party disowns the agreement as and when they want? They don’t even have to have a good reason, they don’t. That shows how much contempt these people have for us. This shows how much contempt and arrogance they regard us all with. If there was an understanding that they owe us nothing, I would endorse that 100% because it’s true. The problem is that they say they are assisting us but there is lack of consistence.

We are told that they are pursuing their interests but you are left wondering sometimes how we have stood in the way to stop them from pursuing their interests. It is difficult to understand what they really want. We have never questioned or stopped anyone from taking Congo’s wealth because it’s not even our business. However, you will hear the same people turn around and accuse Rwanda of progressing because of Congo’s wealth. How can this happen if the wealth cannot make the Congolese who own the wealth progress? What is saddening is that even the Congolese themselves will join the chorus about Rwanda progressing because of their wealth. Why won’t they use their wealth to develop their country? How can wealth benefit others and not those who possess it?

The only external wealth that I acknowledge to have helped Rwanda progress is the aid that is given to us and taken away as those who give it wish. We are always courteous enough to register our appreciations to those who assist us. However, there are those who give you assistance and want to control and follow you up to show you how you should use the assistance. What culture is this? I think this is too much contempt and arrogance. This cannot happen in a society that values its culture.

People who have power, and have a lot of it for that matter, should also be wise. They should wisely exercise that power. After all if you have power, why not exercise it deligently, in a wise way? Why do you have power and go tramping on people who are powerless? When the powerful get angry, it’s not justified. But many times the powerless have a lot of justifications to be angry.

The powerful, please don’t abuse your power. It is not appropriate in any culture for the powerful to use excessive power on the weak, the poor and powerless. This only happens in a world without a culture and values. But the weak, the poor, the powerless have a different potential that they should use correctly to get out of this kind of position we find ourselves in every time. There is another kind of power that we have and should use. The power of being right. The power of being correct. The power of refusing injustice. So, you will keep hearing from me on this. That is why you hired me, Rwandans. I would be happy that some of you or all of you should be thinking about how we continue with this attitude of according ourselves dignity.

Even after me, we should have somebody who continues on the same path. In fact, this should be the qualification for the one who will step in my position. It should be that and nothing else: to fight for Rwandans so as to have what they deserve and that is no less than dignity. Agaciro – the dignity that we have. Only people who can continue to give that dignity to Rwanda are the people who should lead Abanyarwanda!

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

US EMBASSY SOCIAL MEDIA SPEAKER PROGRAM

The U.S. Embassy will host a Social media expert from Paris, France Jean-Yves Chainon.

While in Malawi, Chainon will preside over social media open discussions with Journalists in Blantyre and Lilongwe.

Please join the US Embassy Public Affairs Section on Tuesday October 23^rd 2012 at 13:30 for a Social Media Open Discussion at Mount Soche Hotel-Njamba Room and on Friday October 26^th at the Public Affairs Auditorium (City Center-Lilongwe) from 13:30.

Discussions will be centered on the following topics:

1. Introduction and presentation of latest digital news trends

· The birth of social media and its boom: understanding benefits and threats to editorial quality and traditional media’s business model

· Understanding media has always been social at its roots

· Learning about essential tools and platforms for social media news

2. Social media in news gathering: tools, platforms, best practices (and worst)

· Sourcing

· Filtering

· Crowd-sourcing

· Hyperlocal news

· User-generated Content

3. Social media as a publishing tool:

· Benefits

· Cons

· Policies (personal use, privacy)

· Monitoring

4. Social media as a personal tool (one-man brand, mobile journalism)

· Mobile journalism

· Best practices

5. Social media at its roots:

· The ‘new’ social media: Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram

· The old ‘new’ social media: Reddit, Digg, Tumblr, etc.

· Pre-social media networks: events, fundraising (Dagbladet)

· All media is social: putting the reader and interaction first

6. Social media in the newsroom

· First steps to social: reader interaction

· Comment moderation and practices (Le Monde, Figaro)

· Dedication of resources

· How to engage the community and improve interaction

7. Social media: Where’s the business for traditional media?

· Best practices, case studies

8. Two events / case studies of media use of social media and digital tools:

· Olympics coverage

· US elections

9. Facebook and Twitter, how they shape and are used by the media:

· Best practices

If you are willing to participate, please register with Grace (+265 999 520 436) before Friday October 19, 2012

When Mr. Justice Mponda Got Bail, Misa Said...

Malawi Alert-Update
16 October, 2012
Arrested online journalist, Justice Mponda, granted bail

The Lilongwe Magistrate Court has granted bail to online journalist, Justice Mponda, who was arrested on Monday, October 15, 2012, for allegedly insulting President Joyce Banda and Publishing False Information.

Mponda corresponds for an online publication, Malawi Voice.

He was initially arrested on three counts: Insulting President Joyce Banda, Publishing False Information and Criminal Libel. Formally, however, he is only answering to the charge of ‘Publishing false news likely to cause public fear.’ It is not clear why the State has dropped the other charges.

Commenting on the case, Mponda’s lawyer Chancy Gondwe of Chagwamnjira & Company described the release as victory for media freedom and freedom of expression in the country.

“We were surprised that my client had to be transferred from Blantyre to Lilongwe. The State has competent advocates and prosecutors in Blantyre who would have handled the matter efficiently. Maybe government is employing new tactics in prosecuting people. Maybe the State is now transferring accused people from Lilongwe to Blantyre and Blantyre to Lilongwe. But this may be a strategy to intimidate and instill fear in my client,” Gondwe said.

The journalist was arrested in Malawi’s commercial capital, Blantyre, but was then transferred to the capital Lilongwe, 340km away, where he was held at Lingadzi Police Station, a sub-station of Lilongwe Police and not Police Headquarters as earlier reported. However, no visitors were allowed to see Mponda at this police station except with explicit clearance from Police Headquarters as a team from the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) discovered upon visiting the online journalist.

MISA-Malawi Chairperson, Anthony Kasunda, expressed surprise at the conduct of the police. “They [police] should have allowed MISA representatives to see Mponda without having to seek clearance from Police Headquarters. They transferred him all the way from Blantyre to Li
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Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Arrested Journalist, Justice Mponda, Granted Bail

Journalist Justice Mponda has been granted bail in Lilongwe, after his arrest Monday morning and transfer to the capital city in the late hours of the same day.
Mponda, 27, has, so far, been charged with three counts bordering on insulting President Joyce Banda, criminal libel, and publishing false information.
His Lawyer Chancy Gondwe believes that State may still come up with more charges.
Mponda becomes the first journalist to be arrested under the Joyce Banda administration. Banda became Malawi's forth president on April 7, 2010.

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Sunday, October 21, 2012

DR. MYLES MUNROE AND HIS BOOKS

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Tuesday, October 16, 2012